Bedlam

Plot:

Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg is a psychiatrist who has been working in the field of mental health since the 1980s. Bedlam is his exploration of the way that mental health has been treated in the United States. This book is an in-depth journey through Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Much of the book centers around schizophrenia, but other SMIs such as depression and bipolar disorder are also addressed. Through analysis of both individual stories of SMI and the overarching framework that governs the way that America views mental health, Rosenberg talks about medications, mental institutions, and the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system. I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the author), and really loved it in this format.

What I loved most:

My undergraduate degree is in Psychology, and I wanted to be a therapist for a long time. I’ve always been fascinated by mental health, and by the way our culture views people who struggle with mental disorders. I couldn’t help but devour this book. Rosenberg did a great job of balancing people’s stories of their own issues with SMI, and a wider view of the way our society currently deals with mental health. I am always more captivated by personal stories – I love memoirs, because I love exploring people’s cognitive patterns, and how they make the decisions they make, and how they have become who they are today. However, I also know that it’s crucial to take a step back and examine the larger systemic issues around mental health treatment. This book gave both perspectives to help develop a more full understanding of mental health in the United States.

Read this book if you like:

Psychology, sociology, memoirs, history (but not the dry, date-focused kind of history – the engaging, people-and-system-focused kind of history)

Book details:

• Author: Kenneth Paul Rosenberg
• Publisher: Avery
• Date of Publication: October 1, 2019
• Age Recommendation: Adult
• Check out Bedlam on WorldCat to find it at library near you!